reading

[ ree-ding ]

/ ˈri dɪŋ /

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See synonyms for reading on Thesaurus.com

noun

the action or practice of a person who reads.

Speech. the oral interpretation of written language.

the interpretation given in the performance of a dramatic part, musical composition, etc.: an interesting reading of Beethoven's 5th Symphony.

the extent to which a person has read; literary knowledge: a man of wide reading.

matter read or for reading: a novel that makes good reading.

the form or version of a given passage in a particular text: the various readings of a line in Shakespeare.

an instance or occasion in which a text or other matter is read or performed, usually without elaborate preparation and often as a means of testing its merits: The playwright wants to have a reading of the play for prospective producers.

an interpretation given to anything: What is your reading of the situation?

the indication of a graduated instrument: The reading is 101.2°F.

adjective

pertaining to or used for reading: reading glasses.

given to reading: the reading public.

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of reading

before 900; Middle English redyng (gerund), Old English rǣdinge.See read¹, -ing¹, -ing²

How to use reading in a sentence

An innovative gift is the Qardioarm, a blood pressure monitor that records readings and uploads them to the cloud.
Nothing Says I Love You Like Data|The Daily Beast|December 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
As a Harvard undergraduate, he used systolic blood pressure readings to invent the lie detector test.
Wonder Woman’s Creation Story Is Wilder Than You Could Ever Imagine|Tom Arnold-Forster|November 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“Traditionally, older Iranian men have smoked opium in their poetry readings and backgammon gatherings,” says Bahari.
As Iran’s Marijuana Trade Thrives, Is It Becoming a Nation of Stoners?|IranWire|August 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They shot to the top of the bestseller lists after he offered free drink to anyone buying his books at bookstore poetry readings.
Felix Dennis, Counter-Cultural Icon and Publisher Who Spent $100m on Fast Living, Dies|Tom Sykes|June 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST

There are small group workshops, author readings, panel discussions, and cultural tours.
Want to Write a Book? Go to Iceland|Adam LeBor|May 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Both of these readings appeal to the Solomonic portrait of the virtuous woman, in Proverbs xxxi.
Solomon and Solomonic Literature|Moncure Daniel Conway
Small parties called together for dramatic or poetical readings, are now fashionable, and very delightful.
The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness|Florence Hartley
The readings pleye, pley are evidently false; the scribe has omitted the stroke for n above the vowel.
Chaucer's Works, Volume 1 (of 7) -- Romaunt of the Rose; Minor Poems|Geoffrey Chaucer
Without the ability to make scientific readings, we cannot know how much time is left, so we must hurry.
The Flaming Mountain|Harold Leland Goodwin
Readings are made three or four seconds after each dilution, when the polarization has been fully established.
The Elements of Qualitative Chemical Analysis, vol. 1, parts 1 and 2.|Julius Stieglitz

British Dictionary definitions for reading (1 of 2)

reading

/ (ˈriːdɪŋ) /

noun

the act of a person who reads
(as modifier)a reading room; a reading lamp

ability to read
(as modifier)the reading public; a child of reading age

any matter that can be read; written or printed text

a public recital or rendering of a literary work

the form of a particular word or passage in a given text, esp where more than one version exists

an interpretation, as of a piece of music, a situation, or something said or written

knowledge gained from booksa person of little reading

a measurement indicated by a gauge, dial, scientific instrument, etc

parliamentary procedure

the formal recital of the body or title of a bill in a legislative assembly in order to begin one of the stages of its passage
one of the three stages in the passage of a bill through a legislative assemblySee first reading, second reading, third reading

the formal recital of something written, esp a will

British Dictionary definitions for reading (2 of 2)

Reading

/ (ˈrɛdɪŋ) /

noun

a town in S England, in Reading unitary authority, Berkshire, on the River Thames: university (1892). Pop: 232 662 (2001)

a unitary authority in S England, in Berkshire. Pop: 144 100 (2003 est). Area: 37 sq km (14 sq miles)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

reading

Origin of reading

OTHER WORDS FROM reading

Other definitions for reading (2 of 2)

How to use reading in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for reading (1 of 2)

British Dictionary definitions for reading (2 of 2)

reading

Origin of reading

OTHER WORDS FROM reading

Other definitions for reading (2 of 2)

Words related to reading

How to use reading in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for reading (1 of 2)

British Dictionary definitions for reading (2 of 2)